Old Massett Village Council (OMVC; Haida: G̱aw X̱aadée Council Née) is a band government of the Haida people, located in Old Massett, on Haida Gwaii. Old Massett Village Council is one of two Canadian band governments for the Haida Nation, the other is the Skidegate Band Council.[1] The main governing body of the Haida people is the Council of the Haida Nation, and as such the two band councils function as village governments.[2]
As of 2024, the band has 3,283 registered members, 700 of whom live on reserve. It has 27 reserves, with a total area of 9.7 square kilometres (2,400 acres). The band is governed by an elected band council, consisting of one Chief and seven councillors, with elections held every three years.
In 1886, Massett was part of the North West Coast Indian Agency, which was headquartered in Metlakatla.[6]: 78–79 In 1910, the North West Coast Agency was subdivided, and Massett and Skidegate became part of the Queen Charlotte Indian Agency,[6]: 88 introducing a full-time Indian agent who lived in Old Massett, subjecting the Haida to close government supervision.[4]: 34 The band was governed by the Indian agent, with the support of the band council, which consisted of community members.[4]: 63 The band council was formed in 1910, and consisted of seven elected community members, most of whom were graduates of the former Anglican missionary school in Metlakatla.[3]: 124–125
In 1913, band members provided testimony to the McKenna–McBride Commission, rejecting the imposition of reserves and demanding allotments that were equal to those given to other First Nations in the province.[7] The Commission resulted in the allotment of five additional reserves.[5]
In 1966, the Queen Charlotte Agency was combined with the Naas Agency, which was based in Prince Rupert, ending the close oversight by an Indian Agent which had been in place since 1910.[4]: 34
Reserves
Old Massett Village Council has 27 reserves, whose combined total area is 9.7 km2, with the main reserve being Masset 1. The majority of the reserves are located on Graham Island, with 4 located on the nearby Langara Island. Reserves numbered 1-16 were part of the initial allotment by reserve commissioner Peter O'Reilly in 1882. Numbers 17-21 were allotted by Royal Commission in 1916.[5]
As of December 2024, Old Massett Village Council had 3,295 registered members. 700 members lived on reserve and 2,583 lived off reserve.[1]
Council
The band council comprises eight members, with one chief councillor and seven council members. Elections take place every three years.[8] The 2023–2026 council is:[9]
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